Harrison County Man Killed in Crash near Lanesville

Crash is remains under investigation

Harrison County - May 25, 2023: Troopers from the Indiana State Police post in Sellersburg are investigating a fatal motorcycle crash that occurred Thursday evening in Lanesville.  

Around 8:45 pm Thursday, Harrison County dispatched emergency units to the Lanesville baseball and softball fields located off SR62 just west of Lanesville after 911 calls reported a motorcycle had collided with a car in the parking lot.  Troopers Mackenzie Benham and Nathan Newton also responded to the scene to investigate.  

The preliminary investigation by ISP Troopers found that a 1979 Harley-Davidson motorcycle was westbound on SR62 and was reportedly traveling at a high rate of speed.  As the motorcycle continued westbound, it passed a westbound car.  As the motorcycle completed the pass, it drove off the north side of the highway and down an embankment.  As a result, it collided with a vehicle parked in the baseball facility's parking lot.  The driver, who was the sole rider of the motorcycle, was thrown from the bike.  Bystanders and witnesses at the ballfield immediately called 911 and attempted life-saving measures.  

A medical helicopter responded to the scene; however, the driver, thirty-eight-year-old Gary T. Graff, Jr. of Laconia, Indiana, was pronounced dead at the scene by medical personnel.  Authorities made notification to the family Thursday evening.  

This crash is still under investigation.  Investigators believe speeding and alcohol may be a factor in this crash; however, toxicology results are still pending. 

Officers from the Harrison County Sheriff's Department, the Harrison County Fire Department, and the Harrison County Ambulance Service assisted troopers at the scene.